Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-03-26

ment, the bill was not only just, but
right and proper. 1t was q hardship
for a farmer or country merchant when
ever. for instance, calf should be
killed or any other damage done by
negligence OF railroad that the suf-
ferer, to obtain proper damages. should
have TO come Richmond, employ n
lawyer. and await the laws delays in
the Circuit Court of Richmond.
Mr.. Powell, the patron OF the bill,
said IL was one which demanded OF this
Legislature its passage. 1t was not
only reasonable bill, but one which
it was the duty Of the Legislature to
make d law.
Mr.. Martin said that the passage Of
this bill would be an opening wedge
destroying the great court of railway
chancery in this city and giving magis-
trates in counties rights and powers
which should alone belong to this great
court. The bill needs amendments all
the way through. Pass this bill and
You will make great mistake.
Mr.. Buchanan challenged any one to
show why receiver should not be
sued Just as a corporation is sued be-
fore the circuit court OF the locality in
which the offence or damage was in
ficted. II is wrong to drag people
away from their homes to distant points
to obtain what is due them in justice and
equity. A receiver and the court who
appointed him are somewhat in partner
ship. Is it proper to compel every suit
against receiver to be brought alone
before the Judge OF the court who APP
pointed him ? Is there any reason to
say that a receiver should not be sued
before o justice OF the peace before
whom the corporation itself can be
sued? He said that he understood
there we're railroads in the State which
might go into the hands of receiver
and thus form themselves into new cor
porations. He wanted a trial by jury
in the county where the trespass, the in
jury, or the death caused by the rail
road had taken place, and not tried be-
fore commissioner in chancery hun
dreds Of miles away from the scene of
the act. The recent interstate COM
merce bill gives this right, and it is but
reasonable that the State should also
give her citizens this right. He hoped
it would be the pleasure of the House
to pass tbe BILL
Mr.. Cardwell said that he would vote
for the bill if it be so amended as 10 go
into effect January !, 1888. There
were now several railroads in the hands
Of receivers and by that time they
might be able to re0rganize, but if
passed to take effect at once, at least
one road would not be able to re
organize by that time. He moved to
so amend.
Mr.. Franklin. in a speech of three
minutes, earnestly advocated the bill.
Mr.. Miller could see no reason for
postponing the operation of the bill
until January 1st next or even July 1st
The amendment allows railroad now
harassing the farmers to get them
selves in position where those suffer
ing will lave no redress and for
whose benefit this bill is now sought
to be passed.
Mr.. Cardwells amendment was
agreed to.
Mr.. Curlett moved to dismiss the
bill. Rejected.
Mr.. Figgat said that You cannot pro-
perly allow a magistrate along the line
of road, magistrate at each mile
post, to issue a writ of ejectment for
trespass after that road has passed into
tho hands of the Circuit Court of the
city of Richmond. He hoped the bill
would not pass.
Pending Mr.. Figgat's remarks the
chair at o'clock was vacated until 1880
o'clock.
Immediately upon adjournment the
Clerk announced that there would be
caucus of the Democratic members at
4 o'clock.
Night Session.
At 7:30 eight members were present,
including the Speaker.
At 7:45 the body was calledto order
Speaker Stuart in the chair.
RECEIvERs-AGAIN.
The unfinished business, being the
consideration of the bill having for its
object the suing of receivers OF rail
roads in counties wherein cause arises,
came up, with Mr.. Figgat entitled to the
floor.
On motion of Mr.. Powell, the pa
tron, and by general consent, the bill
was postponed and made a special or
Ger for tuesday next.
ZEE GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Mr.. Powell offered a resolution, which
read:
whereas the Governor, with a number OF the
members OF tho Legislature OF the State OF
Pcnnsylvania arc expected to arrive In the city
tomorrow morning: therefore be IL
Resolued. That the privileges Of the floor OF
the House be, and the same are.hereby. extend
ed the Governor and his suite that a commit
tee Of hve bo appointed to convey to the Gov
ornor these resolutions and Introduce him on
the floor Of the House.
The Chair appointed Messrs. Powell,
Curlett, Terry, Echols, and Webb.
THE COMMISSION.
Wednesday night the Democratic
caucus appointed committee, consist
ing Of Messrs. Pollard, Figgat, and
Koiner, to consider the propriety of
appointing commission to confer with
the foreign bondholders. This was be-
fore the receipt of the cablegram by
Governor Lee was known 70 the Legis-
lature, it having been delivered to his
E1cellency that afternoon, and was not
sent to the Legislature until the next
morning. Thursday night a special
meeting Of the caucus was called to
hear the report of the committee and
consider the cablegram. At the same
time Messrs. Ellyson and Barbour were
added to the committee, and it was
given further time in which to report.
Yesterday afternoon the committee re-
ported the resolution introduced in
the Senate by Mr.. Koiner and given in
full in our Senate proceedingsb and it
was introduced in the House by Mr.
Figgat.
Mr.. Curlett Republican, said he
hoped that both his party and the party
in the majority would stand by the
resolution. The cablegram. as he un-
derstood it, conveyed the idea that the
creditors of the State were willing to
accept settlement that the State could
make. The honor of Virginia had
been dragged around the world long
enough, and now that an opportunity
presented itself to settle the issue he
hoped it would be taken advantage OF.
of you don't" he concluded, address
ing the Democrats, ''we will--next